National People's Congress Chairman Li Peng yesterday received parliamentarians from Malta in the seaside resort of Beidaihe - the first sign the annual leadership conference has begun.

Xinhua said Mr Li met Anton Tabone, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta, in the resort in Hebei province.

The conferences apparently started early this week after most top leaders completed their overseas visits or inspection tours in provinces. Every summer, mainland leaders gather at the beach resort to iron out major policies for the coming year.